Freaky Friday 

Freaky Friday

Freaky Friday is a fun filled show that is a laugh a minute.

The cult classic movie ‘Freaky Friday’ has had the musical treatment and found its way to HOME Manchester for the holidays. It’s not as audiences may remember, the show has kept the premise of the movie and switched it up. 

The show takes place over a day, the day of Katherine’s rehearsal dinner for her wedding. Which happens to land on the same day that daughter Ellie has ‘the Hunt’ a big school wide game blow out, hosted by none other than Ellie’s crush, Adam. With a little help from a magic hour glass Ellie and Katherine end up switching bodies, they have to go about their day, learning each others struggles and understanding what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes. 

Andy Fickman takes on the challenge of Directing the production. Previously Fickman directed the smash hit ‘Heathers’ and most recently ‘13 going on 30: the musical’ it’s safe to say he’s created some very big shoes to fill for himself, and he does not disappoint. Bringing the show into a modern light really enhances the performance, making it feel fresh and exciting. 

Alexandra Sarmiento continues that fresh exciting feeling with her choreography. It’s fun, upbeat and ties the scenes together while enhancing the story. 

David Sheilds created the set and the costumes for the show. The set can easily be transformed from the Blake’s household to a school hallway and far more. All the costumes are modern with bright colours and patterns yet they hold a few nods to early 2000s where the film is set.  

Tom Kitt and Brain Yorkey are the brains behind the songs. From power ballads to a song about sandwiches, Kitt and Yorkey have created everything. Every song is enjoyable and beautifully written. 

Rebecca Lock plays mum Katherine, stressed out over a big interview about her wedding. Lock has one of the most powerful voices, especially during the song ‘After all this and everything’ a heartfelt moment between Ellie (in Katherine’s body) and her little brother Fletcher. It shows off both Lock’s vocals and her emotions. Lock can pull off playing a teenager, nailing the mannerisms of every frustrated teen. 

Jena Pandya is Ellie. A teen just trying to survive high school, from crushes to bullies. Ellie serves almost as a narrator for the show. Pandya conveys the overly confident side of Katherine (in Ellie’s body) as she believes that a day at school will be a breeze, she easily takes the serious parental role. With songs like ‘I’ve got this’ and ‘Busted’ Pandya’s blends with ease alongside Lock’s, while also standing out and being powerful alone. 

Convincingly playing a character who is a different character is no easy feat but Pandya and Lock pull it off efficiently. Both coming across extremely balanced with their approaches to their takes on the characters. 

Max Mirza brings to life high school heart throb Adam, the organiser of ‘the Hunt’. His performance is both comical yet sincere. Mirza effortlessly has the audience mesmerised by his voice during songs like ‘Women and Sandwiches’ with wonderful riffs for days. Alongside ‘Oh, Biology’ which sees him singing with Pandya, a lovely blend of voices. Mirza is able to command the stage with ease and is a joy to watch.  

Ensemble numbers such as ‘Go’ and ‘Somebody has got to take the blame’ show off the stability of the cast as a whole. They work as a unit making even the hardest of moves seem easy. ‘What you got’ lead by Lock has Tori Scott, Katherine Pearson and Dylan Gordon-Jones singing and dancing around Katherine’s kitchen. It’s a light upbeat scene that has everyone smiling and tapping their toes. 

The plot however feels slightly shaky and rushed. With so much that has to be conveyed there isn’t much substance to the beginning part of the show before our leads change bodies. It makes the characters feel slightly two dimensional, as most of the story revolves around the switch. A few plot points feel glossed over of forgotten in favour of other aspects of the show. 

Freaky Friday is a fun filled show that is a laugh a minute. It guarantees a good night out for the whole family and has something in it for everyone. 

Reviewed by SYD PRESLAND

Photos by MARK SENIOR